Great way to inspire youth

PEO, Sesotho for seed, is the title of an interesting creative writing experiment that is due to take the local literary world by storm.

PEO, Sesotho for seed, is the title of an interesting creative writing experiment that is due to take the local literary world by storm.

Conceived by young film producer Mfanelo Ngoma, Peo is a project of Greener Pastures Productions, which invites public figures, celebrities or role models to help encourage reading, writing and creative articulation among the youth.

This should be through storytelling and reading, through poetry, prose, short stories and educational, social, political and motivational pieces.

Contributions by influential personalities in theatre, radio, television, business, politics and even academia can be in any of South Africa's 11 official languages.

"We have received pieces dedicated to and or touching on topics such as xenophobia, HIV-Aids, the importance of preserving, promoting and growing our indigenous languages, education, brotherly love, self awareness and identity," Ngoma said.

Ngoma said: Though it is dominated by poetry at the moment, this is shaping up to be a truly colourful book, with some of the artist's items telling about how they were moulded by various circumstances.

"Some describe how they were inspired by various backgrounds, like the rural areas and the townships (or predominantly black residential areas).

"This compilation mirrors our diverse society. It is an eye-opener, a celebration of social, artistic, political and economic achievements. It is motivating.

"Aligned to the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup theme, prospective sponsors can help us print nine sets of 2010 copies, which would be distributed to schools, libraries and youth centres throughout South Africa. This is a legacy that will stay with us long after the tournament is gone."

l Send your contributions to ngomam@executivemail.co.za For more information you are welcome to phone Ngoma on 072-7311-649.

Sowetan is "adopting" Peo as part of the youth development activities of the Aggrey Klaaste Nation Building Foundation.